Bakerman

Right, missus new co car scheme allows things like 20k Golfs/A3s/A4s/Vectras/Astras and I want some opinions on a Golf GTI or a say an A3 TD. I like driving her car hard when in the mood but most of the time prefer the economy and ease of covering distance that a TD gives you. We only do say 8-10k private miles a year so fuel cost isn't really an issue but having had a TD and equivalent petrol Vauxhall recently I prefer the TD experience both in cost terms and ease of mid gear accelerating etc (£45 of diesel gives us over 500miles in mixed use). I have heard the current Golf GTI is a good bit of kit but she really likes the look of the A3 - she doesn't drive hard but covers ground quickly enough but can't be bothered revving an engine (hence she like TDs) whereas I love revving an engine if in the mood. I only get to drive it occaisionally but obviously want to put some input into the decision !!

Anybody have a current Golf GTI/A3 TDI (I would assume the 140bhp version) and what do they think about it ?

Thanks

NISFAN

My opinion....
Audi is just an overpriced VW, so waste of money. Especially in the A3 range. (although chicks dig it, for some reason)

Now, Golf 2.0T TSi vs 2.0TDi.

If VW made a GTi specced car with the 170bhp Diesel, then I would say deffo go for that one, it runs rings around the petrol in daily driving conditions. Just soooo much torque, and no lag. However they don't So it's a choice between spec and engine, which would sway me to the GTi.

If funds permit, go GTi edition 30. With 230bhp it is nearly in Audi S3 territory.

MooseRacer

One of the Golf's strong points is it's engine - peak torque from just 1800rpm, minimal lag and still pretty strong at the topend (although the Edition 30 is stronger).

I've had mine for nearly 6months now - trouble free, fun and entertaining motoring (more so now it's been remapped )

Rokerlad

I have a MK V Golf GTI and it's a quality piece of kit. Classiest hot hatch out there ( Audi S3 aside ) , nice interior and seats, good handling and add a REVO remap and it really shifts. 30 + mpg is easily attainable. You need to get the 18" Monza II rims though, best £400 you'll ever spend as an upgrade.

RB5201

I have a 1.9tdi A4, moves pretty good once moving, good for overtaking. I stick in about £50 diesel and it get me about 650 miles on average.

corradoboy

You can get a Golf GT Sport 2.0 TDi 170PS, same engine is also in the Leon FR TDi PD170 and the Octavia vRS TDi PD170, and probably an A3 somewhere.

170PS and 260 lb/ft (350Nm), although if you want big tuning potential then the PD140/150 variant may be a better option as the tuners are struggling to get more because of the DPF. I have the 1.9 PD130 engine in my Fabia remap'd to 180bhp and 312 lb/ft (423Nm) and it is superb.

The Chief

I once had a go of an A3 TDi which i think was 140bhp - to be honest i was pretty impressed with the performance seeing as i was smoking about in a 270bhp+ impreza at the time, handled better than people would have you suggest, lovely interior and well built plus 50mpg+

i would definitely get an A3 if i were you.

NISFAN

Wow, that's quite a remap, send in a 130bhp Fabia and get out a 180bhp Superb.

Sorry just couldn't resist exploiting the pun.

matchmaker

They do...............it's called a Skoda Octavia vRS

Steve vRS

Just what I was thinking.

I've got a red one

Steve

EddScott

How about a Leon FR TDI like this one?



Looks like a Cupra R and all the trimmings inside too. I thought it was an R. 22K miles and £12K - local dealer to me.

We just bought a poverty spec Leon TDI for my misses' mobile hairdressing and its great. Quite nippy and very good MPG round town.

Bakerman

Thanks for the comments but it is a list of cars and we (she) ticks a box with no negotiation on others. I would guess she will take the A3 but I think I prefer the GTI.